The most scrupulous cleanliness was also rigidly enforced. Each man was obliged to take a bath of the icy water every other day as a matter of health, and also as an excellent means of preserving natural heat. The Doctor himself set the example; it was rather a trying operation at first, but in the end he found it positively agreeable.
The men had to be on their guard not to get frostbitten when they were out of doors shooting, or working or exploring. In the event of this happening, however, the frozen part was briskly rubbed with snow till circulation was restored. The clothing of the men was also carefully attended to; they were all wrapped in flannel, and wore deerskin capes and sealskin trousers.
The making of these several arrangements occupied three weeks, and the first of October arrived without any particular occurrence to record.
CHAPTER XXIV
AN OLD FOX OF THE JAMES ROSS EXPEDITION
The thermometer fell daily lower. There was little or no wind, and the weather was tolerably fine. Hatteras took advantage of the clear atmosphere to go out and reconnoiter. He climbed the highest iceberg he could find, but, as far as he could see, and aided by the glass, nothing was visible but mountains and plains of ice. All was dreary chaos, and he went back on board to try and reckon the probable length of his captivity.
The hunting party, including the Doctor, James Wall, Simpson, Johnson, and Bell, kept the ship in fresh meat. All the birds had disappeared except the ptarmigans, but these were in such abundance and so easily shot that there was no fear of the supply being exhausted.
Hares, foxes, wolves, ermines, and bears were also to be found, but they were so ferocious that it was not easy to get near them; and, besides, when they had put on their winter coats it was hard to distinguish them from the snow, as they then possess its spotless whiteness, the fur becoming completely changed as winter draws on.
Seals of every variety were also frequently met with. It was a great object to kill these, not only for their skins, but
